The developers have submitted proposals a couple of times and been knocked back, objections having come from the Civic Trust, the WY Archaeological Service and others. The second attempt proposed retaining (and probably rebuilding, due to the state they're in) the C18th cottages that face out on to Bus Lane. However, it still seems that it was felt they weren't doing enough to preserve the heritage of the area (and there were concerns about traffic impact) so it seems to be in limbo.

Mixed feelings if the developers have given up as a result - it's good to see the old buildings staying of course, but not if they're just going to be left to fall down of their own accord (or quite possibly get mysteriously torched). If the main block is in decent nick (which the survey suggests it is), I don't know why they can't convert that as part of the development, and sacrifice some of the more dilapidated outlying buildings if need be.

Incidentally, one of the documents in that list has some really interesting historical background on the site, and some internal photos that we wouldn't ordinarily see.

No, this isn't the same site - it's next door, mainly on the old Sheepscar Tannery site that burnt down a few years ago, but extending right down to Penraevon Industrial Estate (top of Education Road and Jackson Road).

Appears it includes the old Peter Laycock building at the top of Jackson Road. Wonder if that's going to be saved?

For those who haven't the stomach to wade through all the docs, basically the developers have submitted another proposal, slightly scaled down from the previous one, presumably to address traffic concerns. Unfortunately they're still proposing to flatten everything other than the chimney and the old cottages.

Just in this morning: planning permission for the demolition of Hilltop Works and the building of apartments on the site has been refused. I suspected this was coming as things have been very quiet for over a year. The reasons given (on the LCC planning site) are as follows:

"the proposed development fails to provide the necessary obligations and contributions for:The provision of affordable housing;On site management for transport;An undertaking relating to the public transport provision for future occupiers;An undertaking that internal roads will not be offered for adoption following occupation ofthe development;Provision of Local Employment and Training opportunities; andThe necessary Travel Plan monitoring fee."

Mixed feelings really - I would have been sad to see the old mill building go, but what's going to happen to it now? It's semi-derelict and must be on the brink of falling down if nothing's done. At least if the plan had gone ahead those 18thC cottages on the roadside would have been brought back into use.